Q&A with Melanie Joyce
So tell me a bit about your career? Did you start off as a dental nurse?
Yes I started off as a dental nurse. I actually was at college at the time studying but I had to drop out because I couldn’t afford my rent and so I needed a full time job. I saw a job for a trainee nurse advertised in the newspaper and I went for it. I got the job and loved it from my very first day. I worked at this practice for a while but this got a little tough when one of the associate dentists gave me bit of a hard time. She told me I was a rubbish dental nurse.
I also was suffering from glandular fever at the time and she was not very understanding or sympathetic about my situation. I found myself working strange and unpredictable hours as the practice was core NHS and always so busy I had to make up my hours. Everything was done manually and because I was still young I felt very inexperienced. At this point I decided that I wanted to leave the dentistry industry.
Did you go back?
Yes, I tried my hands at a few other things but as soon as I saw another job advertised for dental nurse I knew I just had to go back into it. My new dentist was a breath of fresh air, very encouraging and I began to get my confidence back. I started practice management at my old practice but never completed it so I now had the chance to complete it with the support of my new practice.
What did you enjoy most about being a dental nurse?
Being able to make a difference to the patients. I loved getting more involved and gaining more qualifications. I got great satisfaction out of giving people advice so I wanted to learn more and more so I could give more and more advice. The patients inspired me to want to get more involved in the treatment.
What did you enjoy least?
Sometimes patients would take things out on you. You often got the brunt or blame for things that weren’t your fault.
What do you do now?
At my new practice I had the chance to work in assisting therapists. I used to really enjoy this, I always wanted to learn more about it. When I used to assist with aspirating I used to get so close into patient’s mouth, asking so many questions that my head used to get in the way of the light. That’s when the therapist I worked with suggested I should become a therapist too. So, I applied to do an access course at the University of Leeds. The course was a Graduate Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Therapy. I was at Leeds for 27 months. I then thought about doing dentistry, I even applied and secured a place at the Peninsula Dental School. However, I couldn’t afford it financially so I decided to focus on being a therapist and becoming the best dental therapist I could be. So now I am a qualified, working dental therapist.
Where do you work?
I work in three different practices. Two of them are NHS and private and the other is fully private. As a therapist you don’t have to have a full time job at one place, you can split your week through different practices.
Whats the best part of your job now?
Again, getting to make a difference in education. I enjoy giving advice for existing dental problems but also giving advice to prevent any future problems.
So you also teach?
Yes, in fact before I did my hygiene and therapy course I completed a MBQ qualification on an adult teaching course at my local college. I didn’t really use the qualification straight away as I then went to University but now I work as a therapist I lecture as well. I lead several courses for the Dental Nurse Network and run other CPD courses for the Northern Deanery.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
Being able to pass on knowledge and skills so other people can advance.
So tell me a bit about the Impression Taking and Whitening Assisting Course with the DNN?
You gain some knowledge in tooth whitening: the background and the different procedures. These include home whitening and in surgery whitening. We focus on impression taking as well which involves model casting and fabricating the bleaching trays.
If you could describe your course in three words what would they be?
Fun, Messy and Educational!
Yesterday you led one at the Henry Schein in Marble Arch, how did it go?
It went really well. Everybody seemed really happy and I got some really positive feedback. Members said they learnt lots of new skills. One lady mentioned to me that sometimes she has felt intimidated on courses but not on this one. Another lady told me that it was a really great place to meet and make friends with other dental nurses.
What was the best part of the day?
I would say seeing everyone with their finished bleaching trays, trying them on and seeing them happy with their end products. Also, Mars gave out chocolate valentine sweets! Ivoclar Vivadent joined us providing materials and products and this was another highlight of the day.
What would you say is your approach?
I do not over-complicate things. I think of simple ways of getting the message across and use different techniques because I know everybody learns differently. I use a range of methods of teaching including listening, discussions and practical learning. I am not too formal and am instead friendly and approachable.
What would you say to someone who is thinking of doing the course?
It is really worthwhile. You learn lots of new skills and these skills are really useful in practice. It looks very good on your CV and it is also useful for the dentists as well. It is more profitable for practices to do their own bleaching trays then sending them to the lab.
Any advice for dental nurses out there wanting to develop their career?
Just do as much as you can to better yourself. Broaden your horizons! Do that extra thing to better yourself to make yourself stand out!
Delegate feedback:
‘Loving the course guys!’
‘Learning and having fun on the course today with the Dental Nurse Network!”
Written by Sophie Kalinaukas
